{"id":56141,"date":"2019-10-17T21:54:38","date_gmt":"2019-10-18T01:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/?p=56141"},"modified":"2020-02-18T01:26:42","modified_gmt":"2020-02-18T06:26:42","slug":"things-you-should-never-do-in-india-t2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/things-you-should-never-do-in-india-t2\/","title":{"rendered":"29 Things You Should Never Do In India"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Source: http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

India is said to be one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. It\u2019s a blend of cultures, traditions, sights and many times, a place where travelers go to experience a spiritual pilgrimage. Many even say that the trip is life changing, allowing its visitors to experience a world unlike anything they\u2019ve ever experienced before. But just like anywhere else in the world, it also has its own set of rules that visitors should follow. If you decide to visit this part of the world, make sure that you are aware of how things are done there before making a major social faux pas.<\/h6>\n
Here are 29 things you should never do when visiting India.<\/strong>
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Make Assumptions About Two Men Holding Hands<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/scroll.in\/<\/p><\/div>\n

If you see two men holding hands while walking around in India, never assume that they are gay. While some places in India are still very homophobic, it\u2019s not uncommon for both men and women alike to walk around holding hands as a sign of friendship. There is nothing sexual about it all. And while people\u2019s sexual orientation is deemed a personal choice, it\u2019s still not openly expressed in all areas of India. But don\u2019t automatically think that two individuals hand in hand are a couple, nor make any comments in case you offend them in the process.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Get Upset At Prying Queries<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/ak3.picdn.net\/<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s very normal for people that you just meet in India to ask very personal questions right off the bat. If you happen to be traveling in India, and you meet some locals along the way, don\u2019t be surprised if they ask you about your job, if you\u2019re married, if you have children or how much money you make. They believe that they are just showing interest in you and see it as a \u201cbonding\u201d experience so rather then get offended, just see it as genuine concern about you and your life.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Be Scantily Dressed<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Regardless of where you are in India, never dress provocatively. Indians are quite conservative with the way they dress, and like to keep most of their body covered. It\u2019s considered important to present yourself properly, and more often than not, people are judged by their appearance. This is especially true for females, where the way they look tends to be scrutinized by everyone that sees them. Even if you\u2019re a tourist, you should still dress accordingly since you are in their country after all.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Accept Or Give Items With Your Left Hand<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/miro.medium.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

No matter what you do, never accept or give anything using your left hand. In India, the left hand is actually thought to be unclean, and for good reason. Back in the day before actual toilets were made, people used their left hand to clean themselves after doing \u2018number two,\u2019 and until now, it\u2019s something that has been passed down from time immemorial. If you don\u2019t want to insult anyone, then keep your left hand at your back so that you don\u2019t make that fatal mistake.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Show Public Displays Of Affection<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/sexinfo.soc.ucsb.edu\/<\/p><\/div>\n

In many other places around the world, PDA, or public displays of affection, is totally normal. The same cannot be said for India. In fact, you should never show any PDA at all. Indian culture finds it rude to the point of anger, and will even blame your upbringing for showing such bad behavior. Remember to keep your amorous moments between you and your partner behind closed doors if you don\u2019t want to offend anyone.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Use Your Feet For More Than Walking<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Much like how you shouldn\u2019t use the left hand for certain thing, in India, there are also rules when it comes to using your feet. Never use them for more than walking, running or playing sports. The feet are actually considered \u2018an inferior part\u2019 of the body, so they deeply frown upon anyone using their feet for anything other than getting from one place to another. Unlike other cultures that lift their feet and put them on the table, or even pass items from one area to another, in India, it\u2019s incredibly taboo.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Request For Beef<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

In case you weren\u2019t aware, cows are considered sacred in India. Not only do they not eat beef, but cows litter almost every area in India since they are not used for food. You\u2019ll find cattle walking around and grazing wherever they want, even if it\u2019s causing tons of traffic. Most of the food in India is actually vegetarian, or made with pork, chicken or fish if you want meat. Never ask for beef unless you want to get horrible stares from those around you.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Trust The Locals Immediately<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/theparcferme.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Of course we don\u2019t mean to generalize, but when you first get to India, never trust all the locals immediately. Depending on where you are in India, you will notice that their caste system is highly prominent and the rich and the poor are easy to spot, with the homeless sitting on every corner. Don\u2019t be tricked by those that don\u2019t have your best interest at heart, as many will try to trick you so that they can either rob you or victimize you in some other way. Being a foreigner is always going to make you a target so don\u2019t make it easier for them by being unaware.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Discuss Politics Or Religion<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/images.livemint.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Most Indians are very vocal when it comes to their beliefs, but if you happen to be a visitor, it doesn\u2019t give you the right to offer your opinion on issues that don\u2019t concern you. Never discuss politics or any form of religion that they practice in India. Considering that their systems are confusing and intimidating, if you share your personal thoughts, there\u2019s a very big chance that you will end up making someone highly irritated and even angry in the process.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Drink Tap Water<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/images.agoramedia.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Even though some 5-star hotels will tell you that their tap water is safe, do yourself a favor and never drink the tap water. It\u2019s just always safer to drink water that you know cannot be tainted in any way. One of the worst things that can happen is that you get sick during your trip and spend more of your time exploring the toilet bowl in your bathroom accommodations than exploring what India has to offer. That will end up being the perfect way to ruin what was supposed to be a great vacation.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Say No To Food Offered By Your Host<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

If you happen to get invited to someone\u2019s home, never say no to any food that your host offers you. In India, when you host guests in your home, they go by the saying \u201cGuest is like God,\u201d and they are going to treat you that way. While you don\u2019t have to eat every single thing they give you, you can take small portions in order to at least try it so that you don\u2019t hurt their feelings. Not only will you get to experience authentic Indian food, but you will try real home cooking too.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Disrespect The Elders<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/tribecacare.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Indians truly believe in respecting their elders so never call one of them by their first name if you want to follow the proper custom. And this isn\u2019t just for elders, but people that hold certain positions like teacher or boss, you can refer to them as \u201cSir\u201d or \u201cMadam.\u201d The younger generation can also address those that might be the same age as their parents by \u201cAuntie\u201d or \u201cUncle\u201d if they don\u2019t know their last name. It\u2019s just the way things are practiced in India to show the proper respect.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Go Without A Planned Itinerary<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.passporthealthglobal.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

India is huge, and there are tons of things to do when in this incredible country. But before you hop on a plane and travel thousands of miles from home, never go without planning your itinerary first. Figure out which places are worth visiting, maybe using a guide book like Lonely Planet or asking others that have gone before, and make the proper arrangements before your trip. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed when you actually get to your first Indian destination.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Insult The Game Of Cricket<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/th.thgim.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Cricket may not be the national sport in India, but just like how Americans take pride in their football and baseball teams, cricket is remarkably important to Indian culture. Cricket may have come from England but since India was colonized by the British for around 200 years, they were highly influenced by many things British. If you don\u2019t want to start an argument in India, then never insult the game of cricket, while in India at least.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Give Money To Beggars<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/cocktailzindagi.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Since India is stricken with poverty, you\u2019ll see people begging on the streets from almost every corner you\u2019re in. But many of these beggars have made it their \u201cwork\u201d to ask for money, but never give them any. Most of them are actually a part of a syndicate run by an underground network or thieves and criminals. You might think that you\u2019re helping these people by giving them money to help them and their children eat, but sadly, all that money hardly ever goes to them.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Give Gifts Without Knowing Your Host<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.kiplinger.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

While it\u2019s customary for you to offer a gift to your host when in India, you also need to know your audience. It may be customary for people from America to offer a bottle of wine or liquor as a thank you gift for hosting, in India, you need to make sure that the person who invited you really drinks in the first place. Even flowers are seen as a usual thank you gift, but in India, they are synonymous with funerals, so you shouldn\u2019t give flowers either. Make sure that you really think about the person hosting you when you decide on what you\u2019re going to give.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Be An Easy Target<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.holidify.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Poverty is a huge problem in India, which also means that petty crime and theft is also an issue. No matter where you are in India, never allow yourself to be an easy target. Be mindful of your surrounding at all times, and carry your more important documents close to your body, especially your money, credit cards and passports. Better yet, keep important items in the safe in your hotel instead of carrying them around with you to lessen the chances of getting pickpocketed.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Buy Just Any Bottled Water<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/timedotcom.files.wordpress.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

As mentioned earlier, never drink tap water to eliminate the chances of getting sick. Unless you\u2019re in a restaurant where you know they\u2019ll be serving filtered water, then be sure to buy bottled water. But again, never buy just any type of bottled water. Some people illegally bottle tap water and sell it as if it was bottled properly. If you want to make sure what you\u2019re buying is legit, make sure you purchase it from an actual store and only get brands like Aquafina, Himalayan, Kinley, Bisleri and Oxyrich.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Eat The Street Food<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Just like the water from the streets, you also need to be wary of those selling street food as well. First of all, you never know if what they are cooking is actually what they say it is, and secondly, you can\u2019t say that how they are cooking it is actually sanitary. Unlike other countries where street food is actually a \u201cnight out,\u201d you can\u2019t say the same in India. If you don\u2019t want to end up suffering through diarrhea and vomiting, then only eat in the proper food establishments.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Wear Your Shoes Indoors<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

When visiting someone\u2019s home or a temple, you should never wear your shoes inside. Since shoes are used outside, they are considered very unclean, and they don\u2019t want any dirt from the outside entering their home, as it should be really. If you happen to arrive at an establishment and aren\u2019t sure whether you should remove your shoes or not, just follow suit and take off your footwear. It would be better to not make a mistake than to be the only one being disrespectful.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Buy Illegal Items<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

There are a few items that are considered illegal in India, but one of the most notorious is the shahtoosh shawl. It\u2019s made using the hair of Tibetan antelopes, otherwise known as chiru, and they have been an endangered species for quite a long time. Because of this, they have been considered illegal but they are still in demand, secretly being woven in Kashmir as they always were. Never buy one because if you\u2019re caught, the consequences will surely not be worth it.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Expect Everyone To Speak English<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/media.apnarm.net.au\/<\/p><\/div>\n

India is diverse, both culturally and with the number of languages and dialects that are spoken. And even if English is spoken amongst most people in the different regions, not everyone knows how to speak it. When traveling to more remote places, make sure that you are armed with google translate. Or better yet, have a few phrases written down to get you through your adventure.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Expect Punctuality<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/susancyoung.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

When in India, never expect punctuality. While Indians have many values that they take to heart, being on time isn\u2019t one of them. Regardless of what the event is, whether it\u2019s for a social event or at times, even work, you can\u2019t expect them to always be on time. Be prepared for things be late even up to 30 minutes, and don\u2019t get upset when they finally show up. They don\u2019t mean any disrespect and really, it\u2019s just the way things are over there.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Say No To An Invite Immediately<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

When in India, people that you meet will invite to you either to their home or to events, and you might not have enough time to go to everything. Never say no to an invite immediately, so that you don\u2019t offend anyone\u2019s feelings. They will also feel insulted if you refuse right away without even thinking about it. Rather than just reply with a \u201cNo,\u201d it\u2019s better to say \u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d \u201cI\u2019ll see\u201d or even \u201cMaybe\u201d as to not insult them by refusing the invite from the get go.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Leave Your Hotel Without Cash<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.pymnts.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

When traveling to India, always make sure that you have enough cash with you to use while on your trip. Many establishments don\u2019t have credit card payment options, especially those in more rural areas, so it would be best to have cash with you from the start of your trip. Even if you find ATMs around, withdrawing from them will incur rather large charges and the exchange rate that you will get will have you losing money as well.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Think It Won\u2019t Be Crowded<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

It may sound incredible but India has a population of over 1.3 billion people. Considering the entire world only has 7.5 billion, India makes up a seventh of the entire world\u2019s population. I don\u2019t know about you, but that\u2019s a whole lot of people. When visiting India, you need to be ready for the amount of people that will be surrounding you from all sides, no matter where you are from. It\u2019s a total assault on the senses, and if you\u2019re not ready for it, it can make your trip incredibly miserable.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Belittle Their Education<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

India might be a third world country, but don\u2019t ever belittle their education. They take their education seriously, and they also take pride in being able to go to school and excel in their studies. Regardless of what caste level you belong to, education is one thing that all Indians share as a source of pride. It\u2019s not rare to find Indians leading in every aspect of work like medicine, engineering and the like, and this is all a cause for pride.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Smoke In Public Or Do Drugs<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/image.iol.co.za\/<\/p><\/div>\n

India has also joined the bandwagon when it comes to getting stricter on smoking laws, although drinking in public places has been banned in public places for quite some time already. Never smoke in non-designated places and never ever do drugs. Drug use and more so, distribution, is taken very seriously and if caught, you\u2019ll find yourself being dragged to jail and left behind bars. And we don\u2019t have to tell you that being locked up abroad will be the worst experience of your life.
\n<\/h6>\n

Never Go Home Empty Handed<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Source: https:\/\/www.holidify.com\/<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that you\u2019ll India changed, and for the better. Not only will the entire experience open your eyes to a whole other world, but there is no way that it won\u2019t be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. You\u2019ll surely never go home empty handed given all the experiences you\u2019ll have and people you\u2019ll meet, but you can also find a few souvenirs and trinkets like spices, jewelry and fabrics, to bring home with you to remind you of that time you spent halfway across the world.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

India is said to be one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. It\u2019s a blend of cultures, traditions, sights and many times, a place where travelers go to experience a spiritual pilgrimage. Many even say that the trip is life changing, allowing its visitors to experience a world unlike anything they\u2019ve ever experienced before. But just like anywhere else in the world, it also has its own set of rules that visitors should follow. If you decide to visit this part of the world, make sure that you are aware of how things are done there before making <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56024,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6596],"tags":[7597,8157,7989,12534],"yst_prominent_words":[12529,11400,12530,12356,12528,12521,12527,12524,8815,12525,12526,12533,12532,12523,8833,12522,8811,11591,8866,8898],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56141"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56141"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=56141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}